Who were some of Abraham Lincoln's friends?

Answer 1

Those closest to Lincoln were:

Joshua Speed, a friend who stayed by Lincoln's side while he fell into a deep depression in January of 1841. Lincoln stayed at Speed's family farm (Farmington Plantation), to relax and recover, after falling into depression.

John Hanks, a cousin to Lincoln was also a friend. Hanks was an old rail splitter, and close to Lincoln, when Lincoln was a young man.

William Greene, a merchant who sold his store to Lincoln, was considered one of "The Boys" from New Salem, and a friend to Lincoln.

James Short, was one of Lincoln's first friends when Lincoln first moved to New Salem. Short rented a room at the farm house of James Rutledge, father of Ann Rutledge, who was supposedly Lincoln's first love.

Jack Armstrong, another member of "The Boys" of New Salem, initially was in a Wrestling match with Lincoln. By most accounts, Lincoln won but when details of the story of the Wrestling match were further examined, it was likely that Armstrong was the winner. After the match, Armstrong become a friend and strong supporter to Lincoln.

Joseph Gillespie, a State Senator in Illinois, and circuit court judge in Southern Illinois.

Gillespie was "one of Mr. Lincoln's most trusted and intimated friends," according to Joshua F. Speed.

Judge David Davis, though Davis did not reflect feelings of closeness or those of "a friend" towards Lincoln, many would agree that the two shared a special working and professional relationship. However, according to Samuel P. Wheeler, a contributor to the Lincolnstudies blog board, in an article he wrote titled, "Lincoln's Friends", Wheeler stated, Lincoln really was never able to maintain a "best friend" or a true confidant. He was a complex figure, and often, paradoxical. For example, Judge David Davis, an 8th Circuit Court Judge in Illinois, worked very closely with Lincoln, for a number of years prior to Lincoln being elected as President. He saw Lincoln argue many cases, traveled with Lincoln, exchanged hundreds of jokes with Lincoln, and ultimately, was nominated to the Supreme Court by Lincoln, once Lincoln was President. When Davis was asked about his relationship with Lincoln (after Lincoln's assassination), Davis stated that Lincoln was a "Peculiar Man", who Davis doubted whether Lincoln had "Strong Emotional feelings for any person-Mankind or thing".

Answer 2

Those closest to Lincoln were:

Joshua Speed, a friend who stayed by Lincoln's side while he fell into a deep depression in January of 1841. Lincoln stayed at Speed's family farm (Farmington Plantation), to relax and recover, after falling into depression.

John Hanks, a cousin to Lincoln was also a friend. Hanks was an old rail splitter, and close to Lincoln, when Lincoln was a young man.

William Greene, a merchant who sold his store to Lincoln, was considered one of "The Boys" from New Salem, and a friend to Lincoln.

James Short, was one of Lincoln's first friends when Lincoln first moved to New Salem. Short rented a room at the farm house of James Rutledge, father of Ann Rutledge, who was supposedly Lincoln's first love.

Jack Armstrong, another member of "The Boys" of New Salem, initially was in a wrestling match with Lincoln. By most accounts, Lincoln won but when details of the story of the wrestling match were further examined, it was likely that Armstrong was the winner. After the match, Armstrong become a friend and strong supporter to Lincoln.

Joseph Gillespie, a State Senator in Illinois, and circuit court judge in Southern Illinois.

Gillespie was "one of Mr. Lincoln's most trusted and intimated friends," according to Joshua F. Speed.

Judge David Davis, though Davis did not reflect feelings of closeness or those of "a friend" towards Lincoln, many would agree that the two shared a special working and professional relationship. However, according to Samuel P. Wheeler, a contributor to the Lincolnstudies blog board, in an article he wrote titled, "Lincoln's Friends", Wheeler stated, Lincoln really was never able to maintain a "best friend" or a true confidant. He was a complex figure, and often, paradoxical. For example, Judge David Davis, an 8th Circuit Court Judge in Illinois, worked very closely with Lincoln, for a number of years prior to Lincoln being elected as President. He saw Lincoln argue many cases, traveled with Lincoln, exchanged hundreds of jokes with Lincoln, and ultimately, was nominated to the Supreme Court by Lincoln, once Lincoln was President. When Davis was asked about his relationship with Lincoln (after Lincoln's assassination), Davis stated that Lincoln was a "Peculiar Man", who Davis doubted whether Lincoln had "Strong Emotional feelings for any person-Mankind or thing".